House Republicans Cancel Iran War Powers Vote, Postponing Democratic Resolution Until June

House Republicans abruptly canceled a vote on a Democratic-led war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s military action on Iran, postponing it until after lawmakers return from recess in June.

“House GOP leaders abruptly canceled a vote Thursday on a resolution to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran just as Republicans were on the verge of losing the vote due to absences”

CNN

The House action came after the Senate advanced a similar measure earlier this week, with the Senate voting 50-47 on Tuesday to move forward with a resolution to force Trump to end the war in Iran.

CNN

Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., told reporters after the House floor dust-up that “They’re covering up for the president,” linking the procedural shift to political pressure on the chamber.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., asked on the House floor, “Mr. Speaker, can you explain to the members of the chamber what is happening with the Iran war powers resolution that was scheduled to be voted on this evening?” as GOP leaders declined to hold the vote amid attendance issues.

Politico said the canceled House vote would likely have passed but GOP leaders could not win the critical vote because a half dozen Republicans were absent, forcing leaders to postpone the measure until after lawmakers return from recess in June.

MS NOW framed the same cancellation as a near-certain loss for Democrats, saying Democrats believed GOP leaders pulled the legislation because “No question about it, we would have succeeded,” and adding that GOP leadership “did what they always do — they cheat.”

MS NOW

The Hill reported that House Republicans appeared to have pushed the vote over attendance issues, noting Trump and GOP leaders have argued the president has unilateral authority to confront Tehran militarily.

PBS, citing the Associated Press, said Republicans declined to hold the vote as it became clear they would not have the numbers to defeat the bill, and it quoted Meeks saying, “Congress has a constitutional duty. It has a duty to act, not to cheerlead, especially not to cheerlead an open-ended war of choice.”

NBC News said the Senate voted 50-47 on Tuesday to move forward with the war powers resolution, describing it as a breakthrough for the Democratic-led effort and highlighting that Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., voted “yes” for the first time after repeatedly voting “no.”

“WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 50-47 on Tuesday to move forward with a resolution to force President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran, a breakthrough for the Democratic-led effort”

NBC News

NBC News also quoted Cassidy’s statement that “the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” and it said the resolution would direct the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.

PBS added that Republicans were also working to ensure they have the votes to dismiss another war powers resolution in the Senate that advanced to a final vote earlier this week, when four GOP senators supported the resolution and three others were absent.

CNN reported that Democrats have repeatedly forced votes to limit Trump’s war powers in both the House and the Senate, and it quoted Meeks warning that House leaders delayed the vote until after Memorial Day, saying “they’re cheating and have delayed the vote until we get back.”